Courtney Lawes also cited for dangerous tackling; Manu Tuilagi set for disciplinary hearing following red card
Monday 9 March 2020 17:48, UK
Joe Marler has been cited for bad sportsmanship following his skirmish with Wales second-row Alun Wyn Jones.
In a heated encounter at Twickenham, the England prop appeared to grab Wales captain Jones by the genitals during the first half of England's 33-30 home victory in the Six Nations.
The incident went unnoticed on Saturday and, after the game, Jones called for World Rugby to look into the grab from Marler.
"There's a lot of footage that has been shown. It seems like a lot of supporters saw what happened," Jones said after both sides' penultimate Six Nations game.
"It's very frustrating that we talk a lot about TMOs (television match officials) and footage reviews, yet there doesn't seem to be a lot of it happening."
World Rugby's punishment for what it terms "testicle grabbing or twisting or squeezing" ranges from a suspension of 12 weeks to 24 weeks or more.
A statement from Six Nations officials on Monday read: "The England No 1 Joe Marler has been cited for an alleged infringement of Law 9.27. (A player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship - hair pulling or grabbing; spitting at anyone; grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals and/or breasts in the case of female players), during the Guinness Six Nations England v Wales match last Saturday.
"A disciplinary hearing will take place on Thursday 12.03.2020 in Dublin."
England lock Courtney Lawes has also been cited for dangerous play following the win for Eddie Jones' side and will join his team-mate Manu Tuilagi in facing a disciplinary hearing on Thursday.
It follows the Northampton forward making a high tackle on Wales' Jones during the second half.
The statement added: "The England No. 6 Courtney Lawes has been cited for an alleged infringement of Law 9.13 (A player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously.
"Dangerous tackling includes but is not limited to tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the line of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders) during the Guinness Six Nations England v Wales match last Saturday.
"A disciplinary hearing will take place on Thursday 12.03.2020 in Dublin."
Tuilagi was red-carded for his shoulder charge on George North, as Wales faced 13 men for the last six minutes on Saturday, with prop Ellis Genge also in the sin-bin.
England head coach Jones branded the red card "bizarre" and "absolutely rubbish", in his post-match press conference.
Jones' side won the Triple Crown for the first time since 2016 following their victories over Wales, Scotland and Ireland.
Anthony Watson, Elliot Daly and Tuilagi scored the tries to keep England's Six Nations hopes alive, and skipper Owen Farrell kicked 18 points.
Meanwhile, French Sports Minister Roxana Maracineanu has confirmed that France and Ireland's Six Nations match this Saturday has been postponed over coronavirus fears.
Italy and England's scheduled clash at the Stadio Olimpico on March 14 is set to be played at a later date, while Wales versus Scotland will go ahead.
